Before envelopes were affixed with adhesives for sealing, letters were folded, dripped with wax and sealed with a stamp formed by a signet ring or other metal embossed seal pressed directly into the wax. The imprint would be a symbol representing the letter's sender, often a Coat of Arms. Wax is dripped from wax sticks or from wax pellets melted in a spoon. Today you can purchase wax and seal/stamp sets in finer stationary stores or in online specialty shops.
Instructions
1. Place the envelope to be sealed onto a flat surface with the back flap facing you. You can seal a folded letter as well; fold the letter in three equal folds with the center fold facing you to be waxed and sealed.
2. Light a match and light the wick on the wax stick. Blow out the match. Hold the wax stick over the flap of the envelope allowing wax to drip onto the envelope flap.
3. Allow a nickel-sized circle of wax to accumulated. Hover the lighted wick of the wax stick close to the wax if it begins to harden before you're ready, and then extinguish the flame of the wax stick.
4. Grasp the handle of the seal and push the seal into the center of the wax dollop. Hold the seal in place for 30 seconds and then lift straight up to remove.
Tags: wick stick
